The perfect show

February 13, 2009

Tragically, I accidentally missed my maths tutorial. I turned up and was sitting in the room waiting and then I remembered it had been moved this week and was actually last Monday. Whoops. Instead, I theorised on what characteristics a ‘perfect show’ should have. Here are the ingredients that make up a perfect show for me:

1) Doors should open on time: Why advertise doors opening at 7.30 and then open them at 8? It means punctual people have to wait around.

2) If there is going to be more than 1 support act, they need to be good: There’s nothing more tedious than sitting through more than one sub-par support act. I find shows that I consider to be really good usually have a couple of supports that I enjoyed a surprising amount. Also, it’s great to find out the support band are a band you already know and like.

3) The light and smoke is good (and they allow cameras): Smoke and light make for better photos, as displayed by that picture of Juanita (left). While it isn’t the end of the world if I can’t get good photos, it is a little frustrating, and a whole lot more satisfying the light is nice.

4) Good sound: Most of the shows I go to usually have pretty good sound, so it’s more noticeable when the sound is bad.

5) Stick to the stage times/curfew: I don’t like waiting around ages in between bands, a 10-15 minute change over is perfect. Any longer and I start to think about how hungry/thirsty/tired I am and get a little restless. Shows that over-run aren’t much of a problem for me now I live in London, but if you have a train to catch after the show then shows that go past 11 can be a problem.

6) The audience are quiet at quiet shows: People who talk during quiet shows are so rude. This is why the Luminaire and it’s strict policy of being quiet during the quiet parts is brilliant.

7) Encores please: I always think it’s a little disappointing if there’s lots of claps for more and then there’s no encore. Especially if I can see the setlist and can see there was an encore planned.

That’s all I can think of right now. There’s probably more little things that make a show perfect.